I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[Limes96]

We like the Radisson Blu Edinburgh which has a great location right on the Royal Mile. We will be staying there for 3 nights this August on our university scouting trip for DD.

Do they not allow points bookings at the Radisson Blu there? Seems like I remember you saying that you had to pay for that one. I like that you can fit 4 in a room there.

 

[calypso726]

Do they not allow points bookings at the Radisson Blu there? Seems like I remember you saying that you had to pay for that one. I like that you can fit 4 in a room there.

They do allow points bookings. I’ve never paid money for a Radisson Blu stay. Always points. I was actually going back and forth for this year between that one and the one we are staying. Both were available for a points booking. I decided to try something new which is why I chose the other one. I imagine they have a certain number in their inventory available for points bookings and when they are gone they are gone.

 

[Limes96]

I can second @tink1970 on the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh. It was very nice!

IMNSHO the Club Carlson card is absolutely worth the hassle and a keeper card if you think you might go to Europe every few years. Before the Hilton Aspire, this was my favorite sock drawer card. My mom has it and does not travel like we do. She has received more value with the 40k annual card Anniversary points for her redemptions which exceeds the AF. She doesn’t mind paying $75 a year knowing she won’t need to budget for a hotel stay in Europe when she comes with us every few years.

We stayed at a Radisson Blu in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile. The location was perfect. The hotel itself was a bit dated and somewhat dark in decor. This was probably my least favorite Radisson Blu property but I’d stay there again. We are off to Scotland again later this month and have a few nights in Edinburgh at a Radisson Collection hotel that is new to us. I will post a review on the Hotel thread.

Didn’t see the original post so I’m not sure if you are looking for London, Scotland or just Europe in general. We used Marriott points to stay in London at the St. Ermin after a DCL cruise that ended in Dover and it was amazing. We also stayed for a weekend at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Hotel when we went to see the Harry Potter play in London. It was an awesome stay! The staff was super friendly and it was in walking distance to the theater. We stayed at a Radisson Blu in Dublin which was phenomenal. I’d say it was the nicest of the Radisson properties we have experienced.

We also stayed once at Witchery by the Castle in Edinburgh. I don’t know if it is bookable with points but if so, I’d do it again. It totally appeals to my love for the unique, whimsical, dramatic and absurd. Left to my own devices, I’d stay in each one of the rooms. @PlanePrincess rolls his eyes whenever I mention Witchery by the Castle (it’s a bit on the spendy side) but he has a tendency to do that with most of my suggestions I ignore him and look forward to saying “I told you so” at some point in the future during said trip. Batting a thousand here with that.

Iceland, we used Hilton. We had gold status at the time thanks to the Amex Plat card (before the Aspire card existed) and were upgraded to club level which gave us club access. This saved us a ton of money on food! I always consider elite status, club access and food when deciding what points to use at what hotel if the type of vacation lends itself to that.

Thanks for the ideas! Right now we are planning Edinburgh, London, Paris (including Disney), and Bucharest. Not expecting anybody here to have Bucharest experience but my daughter caught the travel bug and she’s dying to go to Romania. I was unsure at first, but after a little research, the idea is growing on me. That would be our use for the United excursionist benefit. Planning taking trains between the other cities. All told, looking at a 15-16 day trip end of May through early June 2020. Not doing business saver flights as there’s four of us and I’m spending points as fast as I earn them!

 

[punkin]

Thanks for the ideas! Right now we are planning Edinburgh, London, Paris (including Disney), and Bucharest. Not expecting anybody here to have Bucharest experience but my daughter caught the travel bug and she’s dying to go to Romania. I was unsure at first, but after a little research, the idea is growing on me. That would be our use for the United excursionist benefit. Planning taking trains between the other cities. All told, looking at a 15-16 day trip end of May through early June 2020. Not doing business saver flights as there’s four of us and I’m spending points as fast as I earn them!

According to everything I've heard Bucharest is not a beautiful city. More like post modern Soviet architecture. Yuk. But the people are very warm.

 

[Limes96]

According to everything I've heard Bucharest is not a beautiful city. More like post modern Soviet architecture. Yuk. But the people are very warm.

That’s my understanding too. I figure give it two nights for one full day and that will be plenty. If I was paying to fly there, I probably wouldn’t. It’s possible I’ll change my mind on it (already have several times, actually).

 

[miztressuz]

Does anyone know if ETSY ever shows up on a shopping portal? Or, does Etsy have gift cards available for purchase at brick and mortar stores that may offer a higher points per dollar for purchase? I see a growing addiction to Disney inspired Minnie Ears headbands coming my way.

It comes and goes on the shopping portals. I did get some Swagbucks for an order, and then the next week it disappeared, then it popped up again a few weeks later
Still no gift cards that I can find.

 

[punkin]

That’s my understanding too. I figure give it two nights for one full day and that will be plenty. If I was paying to fly there, I probably wouldn’t. It’s possible I’ll change my mind on it (already have several times, actually).

I'm not sure yet where we're going in Europe. I know the general time frame and am willing to go wherever is cheapest to fly to business class (first if I can swing it) that isn't England or France.

 

[afan]

Thanks for the ideas! Right now we are planning Edinburgh, London, Paris (including Disney), and Bucharest. Not expecting anybody here to have Bucharest experience but my daughter caught the travel bug and she’s dying to go to Romania. I was unsure at first, but after a little research, the idea is growing on me. That would be our use for the United excursionist benefit. Planning taking trains between the other cities. All told, looking at a 15-16 day trip end of May through early June 2020. Not doing business saver flights as there’s four of us and I’m spending points as fast as I earn them!

A friend/old co-worker went to Romania last July for vacation. Her photo's made it look really nice and they had mostly good weather. I know there are starbucks and a KFC because she'd post pics. Looking back through the pics they did go to bucharest but also Brasov and I think somewhere else, it's hard to figure out. They only went to Romania and were there for a week. Not sure why they chose to go there but I'd imagine dracula and the castles are part of it since they did go to 3 or 4 I think. She doesn't label all the pictures so it's hard to tell when it all starts looking the same in the smaller size. But if you have any questions I can ask her on fb.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Kind of...anyone have an air printer for the iPad that they would recommend? I have discounted iTunes funds to use and get tired of always having to use the laptop to print to our wireless printer.

I have the hp that was $10 from black friday at best buy works from my phone and ipad. does a good job printing and scanning. can't remember the actual number but for $10 its paid for itself

Love this idea! I poked around online and am not finding the ability to change my limit for cash advances. Do you know if I need to contact Chase directly like a SM or phone call?

I did it via SM since I didn't want to be questioned why.

Lurker since day one of the original thread, rare poster. I've been wanting to change my username for a while but didn't want to give up my "Joined in 2010." But I didn't like having my real name in the username. So finally did it anyway. I was the lone reddit hold out, didn't really want another social media account. But I might as well do that too.

Been traveling a lot for the past month or two, between 2 scheduled trips and 2 not scheduled trips to visit a sick family member. We burned through some points with that. I had opened my first citi biz about a month ago, did get the $250 credit as one of my flights was on AA (which I rarely travel), so that helped.

Last Monday my SW flight was canceled due to "mechanical" issues. I finally caught up on this board and read that I could have tweeted (well, DH could have, I don't have twitter either...) and probably have gotten a voucher. It pays to stay up to date here.

I'm off to go chauffeur kids around (my favorite Sunday pastime), will try to post more later and get a reddit account.

you can call SWA guest relations and ask them if there is any compensation for your flight as it was canceled. they can see why a flight is canceled or delayed. worth calling to see as you might get a voucher from it

 

[Limes96]

A friend/old co-worker went to Romania last July for vacation. Her photo's made it look really nice and they had mostly good weather. I know there are starbucks and a KFC because she'd post pics. Looking back through the pics they did go to bucharest but also Brasov and I think somewhere else, it's hard to figure out. They only went to Romania and were there for a week. Not sure why they chose to go there but I'd imagine dracula and the castles are part of it since they did go to 3 or 4 I think. She doesn't label all the pictures so it's hard to tell when it all starts looking the same in the smaller size. But if you have any questions I can ask her on fb.

Thanks! I think my daughter first started researching Bucharest because her favorite Marvel character is Bucky Barnes, and he spent time in Bucharest. Since then though, she’s written a paper for school on Romania which required research and has also been trying to learn bits of the language. It’s a beautiful language! Romanian is a Romance language like French and Spanish, but due to location also has a lot of Slavic influence in it.

 

[Lain]

I think the online gc's work but the lowest denomination is $150. Since we don't have a store by us, and the Saks Off 5th (which we do have) doesn't trigger the credit, I just order beauty products to use my credit.

IIRC, the online physical Saks gift cards that are mailed to you work, but like you said the lowest denomination is $150. It’s not a bad deal if you can stack the Platinum $50 credit with an Amex Offer that runs every once in a while for whatever the minimum trigger amount for that offer is. The e-gift cards don’t trigger the Saks credit.

 

[tink1970]

Out of the 3 hotels the Epcot area SO prefers the Yatch Club

We already knew he had good taste, but this seals it! YC is my favorite in the Boardwalk area (maybe residual endorphin memory from when I stayed there post Marathon years ago, lol) too.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Transferring points. I like to have my points all together, mostly because while I have a P2 for getting points, he doesn't travel as much and I use most/all of the points!

I just saw on the Marriott site you can transfer 100K points per year. You used to be able to do this on SPG site without calling but it looks like now you have to call. Bummer since I'll need to get him to at least start the conversation.

For Hilton, is it easy to transfer points? Do I need to call? or is there a way on-line to do that?

I am way behind on the thread today, but in case no one answered...hilton transfers are done online and show up within 24 hours.

 

[wendow]

IIRC, the online physical Saks gift cards that are mailed to you work, but like you said the lowest denomination is $150. It’s not a bad deal if you can stack the Platinum $50 credit with an Amex Offer that runs every once in a while for whatever the minimum trigger amount for that offer is. The e-gift cards don’t trigger the Saks credit.

Thanks Lain! I knew you’d have the correct info

 

[Ngwira]

Finally able to take advantage of ihg points break! I was gifted 10,000 points as a welcome gift for being a platinum member. Used those points at a holiday inn in my town. Free breakfast and a pool.. sign me up!

 

[MrPTato]

I've seen them pop up on Amex offers once in a while

Tagging @calypso726 as well...I had a $10 (maybe $15) credit for $60 or $75 spend a couple months ago. They do exist. I just had no use to spend that much...My 2018 spend on Etsy was around $4.98.

 

[mmmears]

My plans are still in flux but I am definitely doing Europe. But I am concerned about the availability of business savers awards. We are going late August early September so maybe I can afford to wait to book since it's generally a slower time.

Just a DP here, but early August was tight when we tried to book 10-11 months in advance for our 2018 cruise, but early September was great when when we booked this past April (so about 5 months ahead). So I think you'll be ok, especially if your dates are flexible. Of course it depends on the route and the airlines, but I'm hoping it'll work for you, too.

I'm hoping to use the excursionist fare as well next August-our cruise leaves from Copenhagen so I've been playing with other places in Europe to visit before/after. I have enough for business saver fares RT but DH needs to finish his CIP MSR to earn his SUB or he'll be flying like a peasant.

Oh, I had no idea. We have a similar issue since we booked a RT cruise and don't want to spend the before/after trip days in the same city. I need to learn more about this. Is this only on United? We are pretty flexible as to the city since there is so much to see over there and plenty of places we haven't been to yet.

I'm not sure yet where we're going in Europe. I know the general time frame and am willing to go wherever is cheapest to fly to business class (first if I can swing it) that isn't England or France.

Inter-Europe flights are generally cheap and plentiful, so we tend to book the best flight we can to get us to Europe (posting this just in case your best options flight-wise are England or France). Those 2 are typically the ones we fly to since there are so many flights there and often better redemptions.

 

[EACarlson]

Seeking advice about redeeming a long way off. Wife and I are looking at Paris in 2021 for my 40th birthday. We currently have AMEX and Chase. Trying to get flights from either ORD or MSP, prefer non-stop and premium class but not deal breakers. Anyone have any recommendations of who I should be looking at and what plans I should be making now?

 

[punkin]

Just a DP here, but early August was tight when we tried to book 10-11 months in advance for our 2018 cruise, but early September was great when when we booked this past April (so about 5 months ahead). So I think you'll be ok, especially if your dates are flexible. Of course it depends on the route and the airlines, but I'm hoping it'll work for you, too.



Oh, I had no idea. We have a similar issue since we booked a RT cruise and don't want to spend the before/after trip days in the same city. I need to learn more about this. Is this only on United? We are pretty flexible as to the city since there is so much to see over there and plenty of places we haven't been to yet.



Inter-Europe flights are generally cheap and plentiful, so we tend to book the best flight we can to get us to Europe (posting this just in case your best options flight-wise are England or France). Those 2 are typically the ones we fly to since there are so many flights there and often better redemptions.

Yes. It is a United perk. I guess I don't actually care where I fly into. I just dont want to spend any time there on this trip (Germany is out too).

 

[mmmears]

Yes. It is a United perk. I guess I don't actually care where I fly into. I just dont want to spend any time there on this trip (Germany is out too).

Thanks, and I get that. We are trying to go someplace new as well, but so far the best flight we have found from here to Europe is one on AF so of course it lands in Paris. Last summer we didn't leave the airport at all, but then wondered what we were thinking with that plan.